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Answers to WTFWTK 2.103!

Mattel has once again provided answers to your questions.
Thanks again to them for taking the time to answer these!
Check out their answers to your Round 103 questions!

This round of questions were selected by Jeevesosiris.
Thanks to that fan for their help!

1. No-ah: Scott was quoted as saying that if Castle Grayskull did well, the Battle Ram might be the next pre-order. Also, when asked if more vehicles were on the way, Scott told the fans more than once to buy more Wind Raiders if we want more vehicles. But now, after the Wind Raider has sold out, Scott has been quoted saying that because the Wind Raider took so long to sell out, the ship may have sailed for other large vehicles like the Battle Ram, which contradicts what we were told before. Since a pre-order only goes through if we hit the number necessary and you've already paid to design and create the tooled prototype, a pre-order would appear to be a no-risk situation. Is the Battle Ram pre-order still a possibility?

Definitely not at this time. The Windraider simply took too long to sell through and there is too many "human man hours" needed to produce a toy like the Battleram or any vehicle outside maybe small one manned things or deluxe accessories. Vehicles are actually quite complicated, at least compared to a basic figure. We have such limited resources for the MOTUC line and we are putting all of those into trying to finish up the vintage MOTU, POP and key NA, mini comic and animation characters by 2015 (pending we get enough sub holders each year to have a 2014 and 2015 line). Fans really do vote with their purchase (yes we know you are sick of that line but it is just true) and we did not sell enough Windraiders at full price and quickly enough to justify any more vehicles at this time. Even with a preorder.

2. Jeevesosiris: In a recent question to Mattel we were told that "Castle Grayskull does not even exist at the time Teela is queen and Sorceress simultaneously." I know that more details of this may appear in a future bio, but to ease the minds of those people who are worried that Castle Grayskull has lost some of its importance in the mythos because of this, will you please clarify what was meant by your statement? Is Castle Grayskull no longer standing? Or has the power within gone with He-man on his New Adventures?

Sorry, but we are not going to give away the goods here in the letter column! You'll just need to keep reading the bios and mini comics!

3. Shokoti's Slave: So far we know of Veena, Kodak Ungor and Teela'Na. In all the centuries between the first and last Guardian, has there ever been a male Guardian of Castle Grayskull in the MOTUC mythos? A Sorcerer of Grayskull, so to speak?

Yes, both men and women have served in this role over the centuries. Some non humans too.

4. Dynamo Of Eternia: Can the Early Access sales pages be updated to work in a manner that is more like the combined sales page from general sale on the 15th of each month? The general combined sales page is set up so that a quantity can be put in the box next to each time listed and the one "add to cart" button appears at the bottom, which adds ALL of the items to the cart all at the same time. But with Early Access, each item has its own separate "add to cart" button with no quantity box. As a result, when one the "add to cart" button is pressed for one item, you are sent to the cart page. It defaults to a quantity of 1, so that has to be manually changed. But the bigger problem is that you then have to navigate back to the early access page to add a different item, further slowing down the checkout process. This slower process can result in missing out on items. I hope this can be changed before the SDCC items go up for sale via Early Access, as I'm sure a lot of people will want more than 1 of multiple items.

At this time no, but we are always looking into ways of improving the EA process based on how customers purchase.

5. facet: Scott, will you please tell us all of the new characters on pages 2 and 3 of the third new mini comic? By this I mean any character that was created by you and your staff, that didn't have an action figure or previously existing media associated with it. Then, also show us exactly where they are in that 2 page spread by either circling them in a JPG and attaching their name or something similar. Thanks!

He-Man.org were kind enough to also send over a visual to assist with this question. Based on this visual, the character labeled "Golden Rod" are generic members of the Viper Squadron, the character labeled "Snow Thief" is actually Goldenrod (Snarrrlll the Snow Thief is above Mosquitor). The two characters behind BlastAttak are Strettch Nek and Vypor.

4. Dynamo Of Eternia: Can the Early Access sales pages be updated to work in a manner that is more like the combined sales page from general sale on the 15th of each month? The general combined sales page is set up so that a quantity can be put in the box next to each time listed and the one "add to cart" button appears at the bottom, which adds ALL of the items to the cart all at the same time. But with Early Access, each item has its own separate "add to cart" button with no quantity box. As a result, when one the "add to cart" button is pressed for one item, you are sent to the cart page. It defaults to a quantity of 1, so that has to be manually changed. But the bigger problem is that you then have to navigate back to the early access page to add a different item, further slowing down the checkout process. This slower process can result in missing out on items. I hope this can be changed before the SDCC items go up for sale via Early Access, as I'm sure a lot of people will want more than 1 of multiple items.

At this time no, but we are always looking into ways of improving the EA process based on how customers purchase.

I am very disappointed in this answer. Buying multiple items during EA is a headache and time-consuming which results into items being sold out before we get everything in our cart. Seems like it would be an easy fix for them, but for some reason they don't want to correct it

NO kidding, I don't understand how the coding is there for one sale but not the other. I think that Mattel just likes the press they receive from angered fans who loose an item in their cart during the back and forth. I guess any talking about this line is viewed as a plus for Mattel.

4. Dynamo Of Eternia: Can the Early Access sales pages be updated to work in a manner that is more like the combined sales page from general sale on the 15th of each month? The general combined sales page is set up so that a quantity can be put in the box next to each time listed and the one "add to cart" button appears at the bottom, which adds ALL of the items to the cart all at the same time. But with Early Access, each item has its own separate "add to cart" button with no quantity box. As a result, when one the "add to cart" button is pressed for one item, you are sent to the cart page. It defaults to a quantity of 1, so that has to be manually changed. But the bigger problem is that you then have to navigate back to the early access page to add a different item, further slowing down the checkout process. This slower process can result in missing out on items. I hope this can be changed before the SDCC items go up for sale via Early Access, as I'm sure a lot of people will want more than 1 of multiple items.

At this time no, but we are always looking into ways of improving the EA process based on how customers purchase.

This answer is ******** if you ask me, there is no way a professional site builder can't do this....

Either DR loves to gouge on shipping....which we know is a huge possibility, or they are just too inept to make a properly working site. I'm leaning towards both.

1. No-ah: Scott was quoted as saying that if Castle Grayskull did well, the Battle Ram might be the next pre-order. Also, when asked if more vehicles were on the way, Scott told the fans more than once to buy more Wind Raiders if we want more vehicles. But now, after the Wind Raider has sold out, Scott has been quoted saying that because the Wind Raider took so long to sell out, the ship may have sailed for other large vehicles like the Battle Ram, which contradicts what we were told before. Since a pre-order only goes through if we hit the number necessary and you've already paid to design and create the tooled prototype, a pre-order would appear to be a no-risk situation. Is the Battle Ram pre-order still a possibility?

Definitely not at this time. The Windraider simply took too long to sell through and there is too many "human man hours" needed to produce a toy like the Battleram or any vehicle outside maybe small one manned things or deluxe accessories. Vehicles are actually quite complicated, at least compared to a basic figure. We have such limited resources for the MOTUC line and we are putting all of those into trying to finish up the vintage MOTU, POP and key NA, mini comic and animation characters by 2015 (pending we get enough sub holders each year to have a 2014 and 2015 line). Fans really do vote with their purchase (yes we know you are sick of that line but it is just true) and we did not sell enough Windraiders at full price and quickly enough to justify any more vehicles at this time. Even with a preorder.

I wonder how many times this question is going to be asked before certain fans stop expecting a different answer.

Frankly, as a subscriber, I'd rather early access not even exist. All this does is add complication to me ordering my items. I'd rather have the SDCC items just go up online for anyone to purchase all at once through the regular combined sales page than to have to fight with going back and forth for items.

And how is this not possible for them to do? They already have the programming in place for the regular sales! It shouldn't be that hard to simply apply it to early access purchases.

Frankly, as a subscriber, I'd rather early access not even exist. All this does is add complication to me ordering my items. I'd rather have the SDCC items just go up online for anyone to purchase all at once through the regular combined sales page than to have to fight with going back and forth for items.

And how is this not possible for them to do? They already have the programming in place for the regular sales! It shouldn't be that hard to simply apply it to early access purchases.

That's the problem, they can do it, and make it work one way....but they'd probably screw it up allowing non subscribers access to the EA stuff in the process.... Who knows why those at DR can't do what even simple sites can accomplish.

I'd honestly be afraid to let DR hold my figures for 3 months....BBTS has it down perfectly....DR....sorry, I'll take my figures as I get billed for them each month.

I wonder how many times this question is going to be asked before certain fans stop expecting a different answer.

I think we don't want to give up due to not letting issues like Keldor's sword, etcc drop and we finally got them.
I still think somehow this will happen--even if it is a third party? But, I wish the Windraider would sop being used as the reason not to even try a preorder--im sure Battleram would sell EASILY way more than Windraider--but...anyways...

I agree, the MOTU mythos is filled with ridiculous names. These new one's fit in quite well honestly and if we want Scott and the team to stop coming up with new names people need to stop asking him who every tiny scribble on every page of every mini-comic is.

I think we don't want to give up due to not letting issues like Keldor's sword, etcc drop and we finally got them.
I still think somehow this will happen--even if it is a third party? But, I wish the Windraider would sop being used as the reason not to even try a preorder--im sure Battleram would sell EASILY way more than Windraider--but...anyways...

1. No-ah: Scott was quoted as saying that . Since a pre-order only goes through if we hit the number necessary and you've already paid to design and create the tooled prototype, a pre-order would appear to be a no-risk situation. Is the Battle Ram pre-order still a possibility?

Definitely not at this time. The Windraider simply took too long to sell through and there is too many "human man hours" needed to produce a toy like the Battleram or any vehicle outside maybe small one manned things or deluxe accessories. Vehicles are actually quite complicated, at least compared to a basic figure. We have such limited resources for the MOTUC line and we are putting all of those into trying to finish up the vintage MOTU, POP and key NA, mini comic and animation characters by 2015 (pending we get enough sub holders each year to have a 2014 and 2015 line). Fans really do vote with their purchase (yes we know you are sick of that line but it is just true) and we did not sell enough Windraiders at full price and quickly enough to justify any more vehicles at this time. Even with a preorder.

Scott completely ignored what he was being called out on; the fact that he contradicts what we were told before. For anyone still confused about this, the answer is simple. Scott, is a salesman. He will say anything he has to in order to get you to buy his product, even if he has no intention of following through. He'll basically ignore that he said it, just like he did here. Fans did vote with their purchases...the Wind Raider is sold out. Here is a question for you, Scott...how many 2-manned vehicles can you name from the vintage toys????there are none. And before anyone starts saying Battle Bones, that wasn't a vehicle. And the Battle Ram did have the handles on the back for a figure to hang on to, but who seriously considers that the second seat? C'mon, really. The real issue isn't that we won't be getting a full battle ram, it is that Scott won't man up to his contradictions. He wouldn't do it for Castle Grayskull. He wouldn't do it for the Hoverboard.

2. Jeevesosiris: In a recent question to Mattel we were told that "Castle Grayskull does not even exist at the time Teela is queen and Sorceress simultaneously." I know that more details of this may appear in a future bio, but to ease the minds of those people who are worried that Castle Grayskull has lost some of its importance in the mythos because of this, will you please clarify what was meant by your statement? Is Castle Grayskull no longer standing? Or has the power within gone with He-man on his New Adventures?

Sorry, but we are not going to give away the goods here in the letter column! You'll just need to keep reading the bios and mini comics!

In other words, he has no idea. He hasn't made that up yet. Basically, he realizes he goofed up saying that, so now he is going to try and write up some "spectacular" explanation to woo us all back. Personally, I'm not holding my breath for the answer to this. It's my opinion that he really needs to stop writing for MOTUC altogether.

3. Shokoti's Slave: So far we know of Veena, Kodak Ungor and Teela'Na. In all the centuries between the first and last Guardian, has there ever been a male Guardian of Castle Grayskull in the MOTUC mythos? A Sorcerer of Grayskull, so to speak?

Yes, both men and women have served in this role over the centuries. Some non humans too.

See, what the person did here was provide Scott with his answer. Anyone that actually thinks Scott has this all figured out is fooling themselves. He is making this up as he goes along. When someone asks a question involving names or back stories, he literally makes it up on the spot. There isn't any development, or research, or true planning involved at all. All he did was take the suggestion of male Sorcerers made by the original poster and made it sound like, "Oh yeah, that's how it's always been". Scott did the same thing when someone asked why Spector would alter time by taking Evil-Lyn's baby, continuing to ask if it was actually someone else in the time suit or whatever it's called. And, of course, Scott took that and ran with it, heavily implying it was the plot all along. It was a nice, convenient way to cover up the fact his original idea made no sense and got him out of a jam.

4. Dynamo Of Eternia: Can the Early Access sales pages be updated to work in a manner that is more like the combined sales page from general sale on the 15th of each month? The general combined sales page is set up so that a quantity can be put in the box next to each time listed and the one "add to cart" button appears at the bottom, which adds ALL of the items to the cart all at the same time. But with Early Access, each item has its own separate "add to cart" button with no quantity box. As a result, when one the "add to cart" button is pressed for one item, you are sent to the cart page. It defaults to a quantity of 1, so that has to be manually changed. But the bigger problem is that you then have to navigate back to the early access page to add a different item, further slowing down the checkout process. This slower process can result in missing out on items. I hope this can be changed before the SDCC items go up for sale via Early Access, as I'm sure a lot of people will want more than 1 of multiple items.

At this time no, but we are always looking into ways of improving the EA process based on how customers purchase.

What the heck is that supposed to mean? Based on how customers purchase? They purchase the figures just fine in the general sales page where items are bundled together. This is something you already have set up. You're not breaking new ground here. How is this not possible for early access? Get some people that actually know what they are doing for a change, please.

5. facet: Scott, will you please tell us all of the new characters on pages 2 and 3 of the third new mini comic? By this I mean any character that was created by you and your staff, that didn't have an action figure or previously existing media associated with it. Then, also show us exactly where they are in that 2 page spread by either circling them in a JPG and attaching their name or something similar. Thanks!

He-Man.org were kind enough to also send over a visual to assist with this question. Based on this visual, the character labeled "Golden Rod" are generic members of the Viper Squadron, the character labeled "Snow Thief" is actually Goldenrod (Snarrrlll the Snow Thief is above Mosquitor). The two characters behind BlastAttak are Strettch Nek and Vypor.

Please, for the love of God, stop asking Scott to name characters. Strettch Nek and Vypor?.....cause all you need is to misspell a few words and then it's all MOTU, right? I could have sworn we already have a Snake Man that can extend his neck (Rattlor), as well as a hero (Mekaneck), and if you really want to "strettch" it, there is Snake Mekaneck too. Vypor is just a completely effortless name, but what can you expect when describing A SCRIBBLE on a mini-comic page!? This "character" is not even a 1/8 of an inch big, nor a full figure drawing. Why bother naming this? Seriously?!

Scott completely ignored what he was being called out on; the fact that he contradicts what we were told before. For anyone still confused about this, the answer is simple. Scott, is a salesman. He will say anything he has to in order to get you to buy his product, even if he has no intention of following through. He'll basically ignore that he said it, just like he did here. Fans did vote with their purchases...the Wind Raider is sold out. Here is a question for you, Scott...how many 2-manned vehicles can you name from the vintage toys????there are none. And before anyone starts saying Battle Bones, that wasn't a vehicle. And the Battle Ram did have the handles on the back for a figure to hang on to, but who seriously considers that the second seat? C'mon, really. The real issue isn't that we won't be getting a full battle ram, it is that Scott won't man up to his contradictions. He wouldn't do it for Castle Grayskull. He wouldn't do it for the Hoverboard.

Always has, always will. They just don't want to do it anymore, there is no way a PO would do anything to their bottom line, if it fails it fails, at least they would have tried.

Originally Posted by King Tamusk

In other words, he has no idea. He hasn't made that up yet. Basically, he realizes he goofed up saying that, so now he is going to try and write up some "spectacular" explanation to woo us all back. Personally, I'm not holding my breath for the answer to this. It's my opinion that he really needs to stop writing for MOTUC altogether.

I do believe he makes all this **** up as he goes....you're telling me, back in 2008 he wrote every single bio MOTUC would ever need? All 200 - 300+? That's what he says....so that means he knew about Grayskullman, Draego, SLL & Cy-Chop back then, before they were even designed? He knew that we'd get Filmation rights? He knew every single figure that they'd do, even the ones that seem instantly pulled from obscurity?

Originally Posted by King Tamusk

See, what the person did here was provide Scott with his answer. Anyone that actually thinks Scott has this all figured out is fooling themselves. He is making this up as he goes along. When someone asks a question involving names or back stories, he literally makes it up on the spot. There isn't any development, or research, or true planning involved at all. All he did was take the suggestion of male Sorcerers made by the original poster and made it sound like, "Oh yeah, that's how it's always been". Scott did the same thing when someone asked why Spector would alter time by taking Evil-Lyn's baby, continuing to ask if it was actually someone else in the time suit or whatever it's called. And, of course, Scott took that and ran with it, heavily implying it was the plot all along. It was a nice, convenient way to cover up the fact his original idea made no sense and got him out of a jam.

I think the Male and alien Sorceress idea is just stupid, it's not Green Lantern, it's MOTU....If Grayskull's widow was the first, and there was Goddess, Teela'Na's Filmation predecessor (can't remember her name), Teela'Na & now Teela....that says to me....it's always been a Woman, I mean Sorceress is a Female term, and having a dude do it, just seems stupid....that is what the various "He"-Men are for all those years. Just saying that the role of the protector should be a Female Sorceress, the one who cares for the very walls that house the power.... The male should do his job outside the walls.

And the addition of Time Travel at a whim to MOTU is stupid, the whole idea of Deadpo....I mean Spectre is lame to say the least, you take a guy from the past, say it won't change things because "he vanished"....well you made him vanish....then make up the story later that SLL was going to sacrifice himself for something, and taking him anyway wouldn't change anything....just because you left holes in the story....

Sorry, the only time travel on Eternia should be left to the Sorceress to do, not some moron who was nothing more than a Palace Guard then suddenly leaned Temporal skills....ummm...no.

Originally Posted by King Tamusk

What the heck is that supposed to mean? Based on how customers purchase? They purchase the figures just fine in the general sales page where items are bundled together. This is something you already have set up. You're not breaking new ground here. How is this not possible for early access? Get some people that actually know what they are doing for a change, please.

The inability to combine the EA cart and regular cart just shows the lack of know how for DR....and we wonder why they don't do more than one PO at a time....

And I'm supposed to trust them to hold my figures for 3 months at a time, and guarantee I get them, and that they'd have enough CS to cover them by then if they are broken? ....again....no.

Originally Posted by King Tamusk

Please, for the love of God, stop asking Scott to name characters. Strettch Nek and Vypor?.....cause all you need is to misspell a few words and then it's all MOTU, right? I could have sworn we already have a Snake Man that can extend his neck (Rattlor), as well as a hero (Mekaneck), and if you really want to "strettch" it, there is Snake Mekaneck too. Vypor is just a completely effortless name, but what can you expect when describing A SCRIBBLE on a mini-comic page!? This "character" is not even a 1/8 of an inch big, nor a full figure drawing. Why bother naming this? Seriously?!

I want the Tug of War guy called Tug-Or, or Ank-Or, Tug Man just seems too much....